BIOGRAPHY
Michael Badgley was born on July 28th, 1995, in Summit, New Jersey. He is a kicker in the National Football League.
During high school, Michael started on both sides of the ball at DB and RB, he returned kicks, punts and filled in at QB due to injuries to starting QB and completed 18 of 33 passes with 7 TD passes for 448 yards. He set 12 Summit HS football records for the Summit Hilltoppers, including most extended field goal of 49 yards, most kicking points in a season with 84, most consecutive PATs with 67, most kicking points in a career with 202. Scored in a record 34 straight games for Summit with a career total of 389 points, second to Willie Wilson’s (Kansas City Royals) 401 all-time career points scored for Summit, including record 181 total points scored in senior season. Career totals include 3,198 total all-purpose yards, 1,320 rushing yards, 607 receiving yards, 1,271 return yards. Scored 31 TDs including 17 rushings, seven receiving, two by kickoff returns, four by punt returns and one pick-6. Varsity team captain, leading Summit to a 12-0 season and N.J. State Football Championship at MetLife Stadium in 2012.
During his freshman season in 2014, Badgley made his collegiate debut against Arkansas State. He connected on a first career field goal against Nebraska, hitting from 34 yards. Went 4-for-4 on PAT attempts against Cornhuskers, and also handled kickoff duties. Went 2-for-3 in Duck Commander Independence Bowl against South Carolina, hitting from 27 and 26 yards.
In 2015 during his sophomore season, Badgley set a school record with 25 made field goals (25-for-30), besting previous school record of 22 set in 2003 by Jon Peattie. He earned ACSMA All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition. Badgley finished a perfect 40-for-40 on extra-point attempts. He set a career mark, and school record with five made field goals against Nebraska (Sept. 19), including 28-yarder in overtime to win the game for Miami.
In 2016 during his junior season, Badgley served as team's starting kickoff specialist and field goal kicker. He connected on 21 of 26 field-goal attempts. He averaged 63.5 yards on 88 kickoffs with 52 touchbacks. Badgley made 21 field goals made tied for third-most in a single season in program history. He moved into third place in program history in field goals made (60) and recorded 30-yard field goal in Russell Athletic Bowl victory over West Virginia (Dec. 28).
During his senior season in 2017, Badgley served as Miami's starting kicker on kickoffs and field goals. He was selected to All-ACC First Team, picking up third all-conference honor of career and first first-team recognition. Badgley became Miami's all-time field goal leader with two field goals against Notre Dame on Nov. 11, moving past Carlos Huerta's prior school record of 73. He finished with 77 careers made field goals.
In the 2018 NFL Draft, Badgley signed with the Indianapolis Colts. The Los Angeles Chargers approved Badgley on October 11, 2018. In Week 6, he made his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns. In the 38–14 victory, he converted all five extra point attempts and his one field goal attempt. Badgley hit four field goals from 59, 31, 32, and 46 yards during a 26-21 win against Cincinnati. The 59-yarder set a Chargers franchise record for longest field goal. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance. During the 2018 AFC Wildcard matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Badgley went 4/4 from field goal range in the first half, becoming only the third kicker to do so. The Chargers went on to beat the Ravens with a final score of 23-17, he rewrote the record books with the most field goals (five) and points (15) in a postseason game in Chargers history. Post season accolades included Pro Football Talk recognizing Chargers kicker Michael Badgley as the league’s top special teams rookie for the 2018 season.
On October 5, 2022, Badgley was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 29. He finished the season by making 24 of 28 (85.7 pct.) field goals attempts and was a perfect 33 of 33 (100 pct.) on his extra point attempts. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 13 after scoring 16 points on four extra points and four field goals in a 40-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
